Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are diseases or infections, which have a high chance of being transmitted via sexual contact and sexual behaviour. These diseases are often caused by pathogen such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. Unfortunately, in 2010 sexually transmitted diseases have become very common. This is undoubtedly because increasingly more people are having enjoyable, but sometimes risky, sex lives- often with several sex partners.
Chlamydia is a type of bacterial disease. It is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacterium only found in the human body. Hepatitis B is an example of a viral infection and is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). If caught, the infection can usually be fought off naturally by the immune system. However, if this fails the liver becomes infected. The liver, being an essential organ, becomes inflamed and cannot carry out its functions correctly. Scabies is a form of a parasitic disease. It is caused by mites who burrow into the skin. These mites are smaller than half a millimetre and cannot be seen to the naked eye. They can however, be seen under a magnifying glass or microscope (figure 1). Chlamydia is usually caught when contacted sexually, including as little as sharing bed sheets or clothing. This is much like all other STDs including hepatitis B and scabies. Hepatitis B is transmitted through body fluids, such as a blood transfusion (needle sharing). Moreover, scabies is transmitted via skin contact and is considered an STD because it could possibly be transmitted though active sexual activity when touching one with the parasitic disease.
Chlamydia infects around 1,200,500 people in the United States in
